Wolf Shifter Diaries: Lies Tamed (Sweet Paranormal Wolf & Fae Fantasy Romance Series Book 2) by E. Hall (books for men to read TXT) 📗

won’t let you. She’s fond of Rhonda the Honda. Remember what she said about trying to blend in?”

“Do you also remember what she said about living a life of luxury? She can’t say no to a gift.”

The gruff voice of the tow truck guy interrupts. “That should get you to the nearest petrol station.” The gas tank cover creaks shut. “Start ‘er up.”

I fish the key from my pocket and turn it in the ignition. There’s a slight drone punctuated by silence.

Kenna scoots me out of the way and gives it a try.

The tow truck guy looks under the hood and fiddles with things. “Dead battery.”

“She’s finicky about the cold,” Kenna says with chattering teeth.

The tow truck guy doesn’t seem amused.

The jump-start and the bonus gas soon gets us back on the road.

Kenna yawns. “I could use some freshly ground heaven.”

“Freshly ground what?”

“Awesome in a cup,” she clarifies.

“Is that like go-go juice but for people?

“Tall, dark, and handsome in the morning,” she purrs, leaning in.

“Ah, so you mean me?”

“Well, that’s always true. Right now, I mean brain brew, liquid survival, potion made from magic beans,” she adds, laughing. “Coffee helps me reality and reality is impossible without caffeine.”

I pull off at the next travel plaza. Our laughter crowds out a sudden knot in my stomach. My hackles lift. I sense a disturbance, but not nearby.

I get Kenna a coffee, and while waiting, the TV behind the sales counter blares with an international news report. “An American tourist went missing while hiking in a remote country called Concordia. It’s the fifth death in as many weeks. There aren’t any leads, but investigations are pending. Visitors to that area, be wary, something is killing these men, and it isn’t frostbite.”

I quickly pay and rush to find Kenna.

She gets behind the wheel, and I call Baker.

“You heard?”

“More like felt a disturbance, and then I heard a news report.”

“I see that you’re in New York.”

I fill him in on where we’re going.

“The Cadillac is still in New Hampshire.”

“Nice to know you’re tracking me.”

“It’s in a wolf’s nature. Also, can’t have our Alpha go missing.”

I have a feeling I’ll fall off the grid when we reach Bahia Magia. I tell him about the news report.

“It wasn’t just one. Three more hikers were discovered. Their names haven’t been released, but none of them were locals. Natural causes were ruled out. Foul play is suspected. I have a feeling Clint will be by any moment to launch the investigation.”

“We have to find the werewolf,” I say.

“Corbin, Amanda was our only lead. She’s dead.”

“If you can track me using technology, you can track the night howl using your wolf’s nature.”

Baker harrumphs.

“Yeah. We are Pack Hjalmor. Our job is to serve and protect our territory. We cannot let this happen again.” After getting off the phone, I heave a sigh.

Silence chills the car for the next minutes as the ribbon of highway fades behind us. I rake my hand across my face. Cars and trucks whip by, causing Rhonda to shiver in the slipstream.

I should be with my pack. If I were able to dedicate my full attention to tracking the werewolf, I’d be able to eliminate her. But I’m also up against the wall with the Council.

Kenna breaks the long silence as we head southwest. “I heard what Baker said about Amanda. I’m sorry. This is all my fault.”

My jaw ticks. “It’s not your fault. I have six of the best betas in the entire wolf-shifter world. They will find the night howl.”

She shifts uneasily in her seat. “Why do you sometimes call the werewolf a night howl?”

“The Accords made it so we can’t do what werewolves do, feast on human flesh under the full moon with one exception, a grim mage created a curse that can take possession of wolf shifters, causing them to succumb to their base nature.”

“If I’m not subject to the Accords, why aren’t you wolf shifter lunch?” she asks.

My brow forms an inverted V. “Good question.”

“Among many. Questions I’m afraid to know the answer to if what happened to Amanda is any indication.”

“That was an accident. We need to find someone to train you in your various powers.”

“Clove.”

“No. He’s—”

“Different. Yeah. I know. But he helped us out. We wouldn’t be on this trip if he didn’t tell us my father is a ghost,” she pauses and her voice lowers, “and I suppose all of those hikers would still be alive.” Kenna tears her eyes from the road. “Corbin, you should go back. I’ll find my father. You need to help the pack.”

“No, I’m with you.” My tone is flat, resolved.

“Why do I get the feeling that’s less because you want to be with me and more because of me?”

“What’s the difference?” I ask, already knowing the answer.

Of course, she’s sensed my distance. Our kiss was pure sunshine, but we’re fated mates, connected. She knows something is up. I don’t want to lie but cannot bring myself to tell the truth. Nor can I let myself think about what could happen if this goes wrong.

The problem is, my wolf sense tells me it will.

Chapter 15

Kenna

Growing up, I always envisioned a glitzy portrait of Las Vegas with its lights and shows. As we near the city, billboards advertise the chance to win big and resorts with multilevel swimming pools. One says, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. Another advertises a wedding chapel.

“Want to get married?” Corbin asks.

I laugh darkly, especially considering the gravity of our conversation about nine-hundred miles ago. “I don’t think I’m dressed for the occasion.”

Corbin’s lips quirk.

We’ve taken the driving in shifts. I’m bedraggled, road-weary, and